According to a National Guard spokesperson, the two trucks were en route to another part of the state when they were dispatched to Manville. Unaware of the water depth and the 46-inch fording depth of their LMTVs they proceeded deeper and deeper into the water until they were stuck forcing other rescue units to rescue the rescuers.

"The chain of command is taking the incident seriously," the spokesman said. "They know the soldiers went in with the best intentions. They were perhaps a bit too confident."